Outdoor program of the 20th FrancoFolies de Montréal

20 years of festivities,
20 years of Francos fun!

Montreal, Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - The secret is out: Les FrancoFolies de Montréal just turned 20, and we’re ready to celebrate! Presented by Ford Canada in collaboration with Molson Dry, this 20th edition, held from Thursday, July 24 to Sunday, August 3, 2008, will meet and even transcend the high expectations and reputation accompanying this huge celebration of francophone music. The site has been completely reconfigured for this 20th anniversary, extending eastward to Place Fred‑Barry, to Place des Arts esplanade and to Clark St. parking lot, as well as offering the new Pavillon Air Transat and the Grande roue des Francos le Lait (the “Big Wheel”).

For 11 days and nights, from local heroes to foreign stars, from rock to hip hop to chanson, the music absorbs and expresses the manifold diversity of a planet of francophone sound! It’s a rainbow of styles, major premieres and over 1,000 artists, with 50 indoor concerts and 150 free outdoor shows; and you’ll recognize the Francos artistic signature in an array of unique and memorable events! The festival played a crucial role in the creative and popular rebirth of Quebec music in the mid-‘80s; and two decades later, the passion has grown beyond all expectations!

A musical “Worlds” tour!

The richness and diversity of francophone music is perfectly expressed in the seven major shows at this year’s Francos, but also in the seven “Mondes” or “Worlds” of the site, offering you the opportunity to experience the best of every style and source in the worldwide francophonie, every day and every night.

Espace Ford: the heart of the site, illustrating 20 years of Francos evolution

Here at the main stage of the outdoor site (corner of Ste. Catherine St. and Jeanne‑Mance St.), fans can attend to the major free outdoor shows. The Espace Ford stage presents a perfect blend of the present and the past, offering eloquent testimony of the 20-year evolution of the Francos. At 6 p.m., the Révélations Ford Focus series showcases appealing rockers Chapeaumelon (Friday, July 25), taking on the largest outdoor Francos stage with the crunching, anthemic songs of the assured Bonjour Bonsoir album, while singer-songwriter Dupuis (Tuesday, July 29) gives us Des réponses, freshening up the Quebec musical landscape with his blend of reggae and soul laced with pop hooks. In the Spectacles Ford Escape, 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., Patrick Bourgeois, François Jean and Alain Lapointe reform Les B.B. (Friday, July 25) to remind us of classics like Parfum du passé, Donne-moi ma chance and T’es dans la lune! And speaking of comebacks, welcome Zébulon (Saturday, July 26), “Band of the Year” in 1997 for their rock-reggae-pop and polished harmonies. Xavier Caféïne (Sunday, July 27) hits the stage with his infectious melodic sense and a new All-Star band: Michel Langevin (Voivod) on drums, Vincent Peake (Groovy Aardvark / GrimSkunk) on bass, Serge Pelletier (Pawa up first / Beast) and Alex Crow on guitars. Paul Kunigis (Wednesday, July 30) delivers a show entitled Instantanés, conceived exclusively for the FrancoFolies, accompanied by Yves Lambert, Carl Bastien and Vander. Closing out the Repère tranquille tour, Vincent Vallières (Thursday, July 31) treats himself to a Montreal party, inviting special guests to join in his polished country and folk. And the always melodic Dumas (Friday, August 1) closes out his Fixer le temps tour here on a resoundingly rocking note.

The Zone Molson Dry: the eternal energy of youth

The Zone Molson Dry moves to the Clark St. parking lot (the far eastern end of the site, between Ste. Catherine St. and De Montigny St.) but have no fear: these artists won’t be spinning their tires! The Shows Molson Dry series bursts up front with a revitalizing blast of youthful energy. First, at 8 p.m., enjoy a taste of Chocolat (Thursday, July 24) and the “comicotrashique” songs of the Piano élégant album; then meet Les Dorothée (Saturday, August 2) and the down-and-dirty punk rock of the aptly-titled Danse et Explose! At 10 p.m., Rudy Caya relaunches the action (Thursday, July 24), bringing us songs from the solo albums Mourir de rire and Le Taureau, and classics by Vilain Pingouin. Vulgaires Machins (Saturday, July 26), making their first visit since 2004, hit the stage with the brilliant punk of their excellent Compter les corps album. Singer Justine Laberge and guitarist David Bussières, alias Alfa Rococo (Monday, July 28), bring high-quality pop, at once accessible and refined, with danceable rhythms and a healthy dose of sunshine! The Acadians of Radio Radio (Wednesday, July 30) return after last year’s show to blow us away with the electro-rap of Cliché Hot, singing in French, English and chiac. Bonjour Brumaire (Friday, August 1 features French, anglo Quebec and Swiss members playing with conventional pop structures and finding a new kind of poetry on La nature des foules. Les Dales Hawerchuk (Saturday, August 2) close out the series with their 2nd album, a solid fusion of big guitar riffs and country elements.

Place Loto‑Québec: welcome a new generation

Place Loto‑Québec-relocated this year to Parc Fred‑Barry, between De Maisonneuve Blvd. and St. Urbain St., due to ongoing construction for the Quartier des spectacles-will host two concert series. At 7 p.m., Les Découvertes Loto‑Québec puts the accent on a new generation, welcoming performers including Mille Monarques (Monday, July 28), who’ll charm us with their neo-romantico-trash sounds while we await their forthcoming album, and Mick est tout seul (Wednesday, July 30) with Chansons perdues, taking a break from Mickey 3D to gather up the melodies that slipped through his fingers between sessions for his group. Kim Bingham, singer in Me Mom and Morgentaler and Bran Van 3000, showcases original songs in French with her band Kamikaze Pilot (Friday, July 25), while Le Roi Poisson (Thursday, July 24) brings an aquarium full of tunes to the Chanson festive Loto‑Québec series, presented at 9 p.m., followed later by Les Frères à Ch’val (Saturday, August 2), returning with first-class grooms Polo Bellemare, Thibaud de Corta, Mara Tremblay, Gilles Brisebois and François Lalonde.

The Monde multiculturel Hydro‑Québec: music without borders

In the Monde multiculturel Hydro-Québec, located in Parc Hydro‑Québec, next to the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde,music arrives from everywhere, leaving all borders behind. Les Spectacles multiculturels Hydro‑Québec gives fair indication at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., with the groovy reggae of Deya (Friday, July 25), and their socially-engaged stance. With Fik Anta, his first album in a decade, Saïd Mesnaoui leads Transe Gnawa (July 26) with his three-string hajouj, an instrument he has completely mastered. Next, welcome Haiti’s Tifane (Sunday, July 27 and Monday, July 28, with Monday’s show at 7 p.m.) and her creole soul, sensual stage presence and hit single Se Kòm Si, from the Aprent album. On Wednesday, July 30, the Ouanani collective brings a musical Afro-fusion pitched between the serious and the zany, with their hermaphroditic mascot Ouana along for the ride! Senegalese-Québécois singer Musa Dieng Kala (Friday, August 1) hosts a spiritual evening fusing Arabo-Islamic Northern Africa and more continental influences. Featuring sacred lyrics and unique ambience.

The Monde FrancoFou le Lait: passionate personalities

The Monde FrancoFou le Lait, located at the entrance of the Complexe Desjardins, welcomes a varied cast of characters throughout Les Rythmes le Lait series at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Among them, catch Franco-Ontarian Damien Robitaille (Saturday, July 26), as charming as he is droll, with the appealing folk rock and country pop of L’homme qui me ressemble. Andrée Watters (Monday, July 28, exclusively at 8 p.m.), passionate and effervescent as ever, rocks out on a 3rd album, Minuit, written and produced by Sylvain Cossette. David Marin (Tuesday, July 29) brings the wordplay of À côté d’la track, served up with garage folk-rock.

The whole family takes its “turn”… in the Grande roue des Francos le Lait!

This year, the little ones are in for a treat with the Francos’ 5 à 7 series devoted to families. An array of fun activities awaits the kids, including balloon sculptures, mini-workshops in painting and origami, and entertainment featuring marionettes and jugglers. And it’s all free!

And the kids will definitely want to drop by the all-new Grande roue des Francos le Lait, set up on the Place des Arts esplanade and open for action from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.! You’ll hear their “ooohs” and “aaahhs” drift down from the summit of the structure, which stands 85 feet tall (about 25 metres). An iconic visual symbol of 20 years of the Francos, this installation offers a breathtaking and unique view of the site and the entire Montreal downtown area, as well as a memorable shared moment of family fun. And-you guessed it-this is free as well!

The Monde urbain Vidéotron: get connected!

The Monde urbain Vidéotron-formerly on Jeanne‑Mance St. close to De Maisonneuve Blvd.-moves to the northeast Place des Arts esplanade… and it may keep moving, given the exciting pair of series set to shake things up! Les Soirées urbaines Vidéotron, at 8 p.m., opens with the big-beat power-pop of Orangeorange (Thursday, July 24), coloured by the vocal harmonies of Dom Hamel and Sabrina Bellemare laid over guitar and gadgets. Next, Donzelle (Sunday, July 27) brings eccentric, sensual, sexy rap, with a full-on danceable stage show and titles like Libido macro. A little reggae? Kayans (Tuesday, July 29 and Wednesday, July 30), leaders of the groove in France, fronted by Jean-Michel Ivanes, alias Jimaï, prove Jamaica is alive and well in Paris. MC La Sauce (Friday, August 1), newest protégée of Loco Locass’ Chafiik, hits low and hard with raw, humourous raps. At 10 p.m., the stage lifts off with Les Nuits urbaines Vidéotron, starring Maître J (Friday, July 25)-from hip hop collective NulSiDécouvert-a philosophy student bringing a new and very Québécois rap, flirting with pop, with a shot of humour and regionalism. Winners of the 12th edition of the Francouvertes, La Patère Rose (Wednesday, July 30) reunites the singular Fanny Bloom with Roboto and Kilojules from Misteur Valaire: it’s electropop that escapes the ordinary. Survivors of the disbanded Atach Tatuq, DJ Naes, DJ Ephiks, RU and Égypto make up Payz Play (Thursday, July 31), with a self-titled debut album released in May that was a hit with fans and critics alike. Finally, it’s the return of a conquering Francos hero: Samian (Saturday, August 2, after the Grand rendez-vous Hydro-Québec), the first French-Algonquin rapper, with the excellent Face à soi-même.

Espace vert Desjardins: local greenery, international colour, and recycling everywhere!

The Espace vert Desjardins can be found between Place des Arts and the Musée d’art contemporain this year, where it’s certain to brighten up the environment with music! Colourful musician Gérald Genty (Saturday, August 2) brings delicious puns to the Nouvelle chanson Desjardins series at 5 p.m., while motormouth Urbain Desbois (Saturday, August 2) brings his burlesque intelligence and edgy rhythms to the Espoirs Desjardins series at 7 p.m. A few days earlier, 3 gars su’l sofa (Sunday, July 27), just back from Spa, jump off the couch to hit the Francos with Des cobras, des tarentules, making everyone else jump in the process! Musiques d’ici et d’ailleurs Desjardins, presented in the Grande‑Place du Complexe Desjardins at 9 p.m., welcomes Africa’s Lilison Di Kinara (July 30), musician, painter, poet and weaver of exquisite ambience, singing in Portuguese creole, and Bombolessé (July 31), a cultural blend delivering Brazilianized funk-rock-reggae in a genuine ode to joy! The enthusiasm of energetic band Obatala (August 2, exclusively at 7 p.m.) is supremely contagious. Surrender to the life-force thrumming at the heart of this musical mosaic!

The Mouvement des caisses Desjardins has extended its association with the FrancoFolies recycling program. In addition to raising public awareness of the importance of recycling, the Desjardins recycling teams will have a mission to rid the areas around the stages of all recyclable waste and transport it to the sorting centre, located on-site at the Francos.

The Pavillon Air Transat

After its runaway success during the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, the Pavillon Air Transat brings its magic touch to the Francos! Specially imported from Europe for the two musical events, this marvelous temporary venue transports us into Stefie Shock’s microcosme (Friday, July 25 to Monday, July 28), and presents a solo Thomas Dutronc (Wednesday, July 30 to Saturday, August 2), with his roguish gypsy swing and witty lyrics, exemplified by an album title: Comme un manouche sans guitare. Along with these previously confirmed indoor shows as part of this refreshing 20th program, fans can also get a hit of major-league hard rock from WD‑40, presented free on Tuesday, July 29, immediately after the premiere of the group’s film, Né pour être sauvage, l’histoire trouble de WD‑40.

The Partys du Shag Molson Dry: the party goes on forever!

Le Shag has already established a solid reputation, with special guests playing DJ for a night and a party atmosphere that hits you the moment you enter the room! The undeniable groove returns to the Savoy du Métropolis (1407 Saint-Dominique St.) for the Francos! At midnight, the Partys du Shag Molson Dry heat up the wheels of steel for all the night owls! Discover the musical side of Invincible actor Rémi‑Pierre Paquin, get a major hit of Caféïne on the turntables, and experience 10 years of SOPREF-and a serious slice of the local party scene!-in one night with DJ LeMonk, Maxim Robin, DJ Capitaine, Cynthia Bellemare, DJ Parklite and DJ La Veste !

Ghislain Poirier Bounces into the Francos: a blowout bash for the final indoor show!

The Bounce le gros parties have officially ended, but Ghislain Poirier has decided to prolong the pleasure during the Francos, bombing us with his low frequencies and big, dirty beats! For an idea of the atmosphere, let us remind fans that last time, Poirier even had the security guards dancing! We’re still amazed he didn’t collapse the Van Horne viaduc during his crazed 2007 Saint-Jean party! Club Soda will shake during this closing party, and it’s free! Bounce les Francos!, Saturday, August 2, 8 p.m.

The 2007 winners of the Prix Félix‑Leclerc de la chanson

in concert at the Francos

In keeping with an annual tradition, Les FrancoFolies de Montréal present concerts from the French and Quebec winners of the Prix Félix‑Leclerc de la chanson, awarded during the previous edition. On the French side, discover MeLL: 25 years old, candid, witty, born for the stage, performing without a net, a former punkette live wire from the New French Scene, with an album title that says it all: C’est quand qu’on rigole. In concert Friday, August 1 at 8 p.m., on the Zone Molson Dry stage as part of the Shows Molson Dry series, as well as Saturday, August 2 at 10 p.m. in the Cabaret Juste pour rire, sharing the bill with El Motor, in the Hip Rap Rock Molson Dry series. The 2007 Quebec winner, Thomas Hellman, delivers familiar songs-notably from the album L’appartement-and unreleased tunes due in autumn, a repertoire he calls “French chanson with an American sensibility”, as the opening act on the Camille bill, on Thursday, July 31, 9 p.m., in Métropolis, in the Nuits Ford Focus series.

The free Grand Concours des Francos 2008:

over $30,000 in prizes!

Festival fans will be thrilled to rediscover the free Grand Concours des Francos and enjoy a chance to win magnificent prizes offered by our sponsors. More than $30,000 worth of prizes will be awarded:

Grand prize: a 24-month lease on one of 6 Ford vehicles

2nd prize: two weekend trips to James Bay for two, offered by Hydro‑Québec, including transportation by Hydro‑Québec airplane and bus, guided visit to the Robert‑Bourassa Generating Station and La Grande-1, food and lodging at L’Auberge Radisson;

3rd prize: a lifetime subscription to the Vidéotron Quattro package, including high-speed internet, digital video recorder and subscription to illico digital television mega package, cable telephone, wireless telephone;

4th prize: two plane tickets to Paris, offered by Air Transat;

5th prize: a compact disc collection-over 50 CDs by artists who’ve left their mark on les FrancoFolies-offered by Loto‑Québec;

6th prize: the SIRIUS Satellite Radio Stiletto 2, the new portable satellite radio, and a lifetime subscription to SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

Entering the contest is easy! The public is invited to experience Les FrancoFolies de Montréal and to enter using any of the on-site interactive terminals between July 24 and August 3; the terminals are located near the Ford car podiums, and entries must be made before midnight. People may also register on-line or view the contest rules at francofolies.com. The contest is reserved for persons 18 and over.

Le Grand Concours des Francos 2008 is presented by Ford in collaboration with La Presse, RockDétente 107,3 Montréal, CKOI 96,9 FM, Info 690 and Télévision de Radio‑Canada.

Listen to the FrancoFolies anywhere in Quebec!

Those who found themselves being drawn in by the great music at the Francos-at indoor venues and on the outdoor site-will be thrilled to learn that their favourite music can follow them around wherever they go with the all-new music channel, Galaxie FrancoFolies de Montréal, available exclusively at Vidéotron. This channel showcases artists and groups presented at the 2008 FrancoFolies. Galaxie FrancoFolies de Montréal is available only to illico Digital TV subscribers on channel 546, and to Vidéotron high-speed Internet subscribers at videotron.com/francos. The network will broadcast on the Francos site, from July 24 to August 3.

Thanks to our partners

A cultural event of this quality would not be possible without the participation and loyalty of our public and private partners, first and foremost Ford Canada, the official presenter of the event, and Molson Dry, its co-presenter. Thanks also go out to Vidéotron, Loto‑Québec, Hydro‑Québec, the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec, the Mouvement des caisses Desjardins and Air Transat. We would also like to thank the three levels of government and their support agencies. Thanks to Government of Canada-Economic Development Canada and Heritage Canada. We offer particular thanks to the Government of Québec for its renewed support-the ministère du Tourisme, the ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions, the SODEC and the ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine. Thanks to the Ville de Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, MUSICACTION and our overseas partners.

Everything you need to know about the Francos

The official Francos program and free official brochure provide all the necessary information on the indoor program of this 20th edition of the FrancoFolies de Montréal, with 100,000 programs and 175,000 brochures now available in participating concert venues, and most record stores, bookshops public areas and major businesses in downtown Montreal. Outside of the metropolitan area, free copies can be ordered by telephone through the Vidéotron Info‑Francos line at 514-876‑8989 or toll-free at 1 888 444‑9114. Information can also be found on our website, at francofolies.com.

We hope to see you at the 20th edition of the FrancoFolies de Montréal, from Thursday, July 24 to Sunday, August 3, 2008.

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